UMKC research is having a profound impact on premature infants and their families.

Amy Robertson, Ph.D., music therapist and professor at the UMKC Conservatory, is conducting research on the benefits of music therapy for extremely premature infants born at 25 to 28 weeks. The stimulus and stress of being in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be detrimental to these infants, which Robertson looks to address through music therapy, a research area UMKC donors help fund.

There are currently eight scholarships intended for students studying music therapy at UMKC Conservatory, funded by a combination of UMKC alumni, former faculty and friends of the university.

“When I first started working in the NICU, I was amazed at the effect music can have on these infants that are so young,” Robertson said. “To know that they respond so early, it showed me this whole world out there using music as a medical intervention. Something so simple can be so powerful for these infants.”

Robertson sings lullabies without instruments so as not to overwhelm the infants’ still-developing neurological systems. Early research shows that this simple action may help these infants stabilize their vitals and come off the ventilator faster. It also shows promising potential to reduce the risk of brain bleeds and reduce the amount of pain medication needed.

Robertson’s work doesn’t just benefit the infants, she sees the impact music therapy has on parents as well.

“So many parents feel out of control in the NICU, they have to make all these medical decisions for their infant but can’t interact with them like other parents do,” Robertson said. “Involving them in music therapy gives them a way to bond with their child and let go of some of that stress. They get to just be Mom and Dad.”